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In the ongoing effort to support our local, county, and state partners, IEMA will provide information and specifics to coordinate current information:
 

  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties in Illinois for severe weather in July 2024
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for St. Clair County in Illinois for flooding for 2022
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook County in Illinois for severe weather in June/July 2023
  • The State of Illinois Disaster Proclamation for the Asylum Seekers in Illinois

Communications Plan

Traditional means of communication may be limited during a widespread emergency situation. It is important that you identify several different ways to communicate with your family and friends.

Emergency Communication Tips

  • Avoid making non-emergency calls.

  • Make sure your entire household knows necessary emergency contact information.

  • Designate an out-of-area contact person. Family members should call this person to report their locations if they cannot reach each other. Provide your contact person with important names and numbers so he or she can assist in keeping others posted on your situation, and let your friends and family know whom they can contact to check on you in case of an emergency.

  • Long distance lines often work even if local phone lines do not.

  • Cell phone networks are often overwhelmed during an emergency; do not rely on using your cell phone for calls.

  • Text messaging on cell phones sometimes works even when the network is overwhelmed.

  • Make sure you have at least one phone in your house that does not require electricity to work. Cordless phones and most business phone systems do require electricity.

  • Keep coins and important contact information in your Go Bag for pay phones, which often have service restored before residential customers.

  • Program an I.C.E. (In-Case-of-Emergency) point of contact into your cell phone in case you are incapacitated. This should be a family member or close friend.

For Additional Information